
ALCOHOL USE DISORDER

In January of this year, former Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy recommended that alcohol in any form should be discouraged, and alcohol bottles should have a warning label about its potential for health hazards, like warning labels on cigarette packages. This created a media stir and renewed the discussion about dangers of alcohol overuse. Even though most of us knew the risks of excessive drinking habits, small quantities such as one glass of red wine during social hours with dinner were considered acceptable or even healthy.
Alcohol is an addictive agent. In small quantities, it releases dopamine from the reward center of brain giving the consumer temporary mood elevation, euphoria, self-confidence, garrulousness and comfort to socialize. However, the addictive nature of the substance makes the person drink more with increasing tolerance, loss of control and dependence. Environmental factors such as easy availability, peer pressure, exposure and social acceptance encourage further drinking. Eventually, the person becomes a chronic alcoholic and develops multiple medical problems.
It is estimated that 283 million people worldwide are addicted to alcohol, with 3.3 million deaths from alcohol-related medical conditions. Twelve percent of U.S. population is estimated to have alcohol use disorder (AUD). In addition, side effects lead to accidents, errors, neurological damage, homicides, domestic violence, cancers and other untold damages. Genetic factors, stress in life, overwork, loneliness, divorce and socioeconomic factors are causative issues. When parents drink regularly, children are likely to follow suit.
Excessive drinking leads to lethargy, sedation, balancing problems, slurred speech, tremors and blurry vision. Still higher levels of binge drinking causes vomiting, amnesia, respiratory depression, confusion and coma. When the person consumes narcotics or sedatives with alcohol, it can become fatal.
Chronic alcoholism occurs when a person takes four or five drinks per day or 10 to 15 drinks per week. Alcohol content is higher in spirits compared to beer. It becomes a disease characterized by inability to control drinking due to physical and emotional dependence. They drink covertly and in secrecy to hide the addictive habit while preoccupied with acquiring more alcohol bottles.
Chronic alcoholism results in diseases of almost all the organs in the body. Gastrointestinal manifestations include gastritis, peptic ulcers, esophagitis, nutritional deficiencies and pancreatitis. Cirrhosis of liver and portal hypertension lead to liver failure, jaundice, gastric and esophageal varices, hemorrhoids, varicose veins, ascites and clotting failure, leading to vomiting blood and bleeding per rectum. Neurological changes include dementia, delusions, confusion, hallucinations and a form of encephalopathy called Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome. Cardiovascular system suffers from cardiomyopathy, hypertension, cardiac arrythmia and heart failure. The immune system is weakened, resulting in poor wound healing, muscle atrophies and infections. Sexual disorders and sleep disorders worsen. Pregnant women can damage the fetus by drinking during pregnancy. Cancers of mouth, throat, larynx, esophagus, stomach, pancreas, liver, colon and rectum and breast are more common among alcoholics. In general, life expectancy among alcoholics is reduced by ten years or more, due to a variety of medical problems.
Doctors are involved in treating disease manifestations or withdrawal symptoms rather than preventing the habit formation. The heath care system does not address causative factors or societal backgrounds. As a result, patients seek medical help late. The mainstay of treatment is counseling, behavioral therapy and group motivational therapy. Associations such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) provide good service. Medical detoxification and medication therapy are needed for others. Medications of value include Naltrexone, Acamprosate and Disulfiram. Worse situations may need IV fluids, electrolytes, nutritional support and high dose thiamine.
Many of these patients can have withdrawal symptoms, with tremors, insomnia, anxiety, headaches, palpitation and agitation. A worse manifestation is called delirium tremens when the person is agitated, hallucinating and disruptive. They may need stronger medications such as benzo-diazepam, barbiturates or propofol.
A bigger problem is relapse, where they seem to recover and fall back into the habit of heavy drinking again. Strong family support, emotional support and lifestyle changes are needed. The person will have to be motivated to overcome the habit. Retreats, prayer, scheduled exercise programs, cognitive activities, group activities, counselling sessions and positive thinking are useful measures.
Alcoholism is a social curse, and society must share some of the blame. The hospitality industry, retail industry, hotels, bars, restaurants, travel and entertainment industry, alcohol manufacturing companies along with corporate and government policies are partly responsible for encouraging this addictive habit among ordinary citizens. Efforts to establish prohibition have failed in the past. Public education and awareness, enforcement of legal restrictions and encouragement of community social programs are useful measures.
EYE CARE
Protect Your Vision This Summer

By Dr. ARUN GULANI
We all look forward to June as the month brings bright days and warm weather. It’s the season to step outside, enjoy the sun and make memories. But while we’re out there living life, it’s important not to forget that our eyes need protection too. The summer sun’s rays can be stronger than we think, and the heat, allergens and activities we enjoy can take a toll on our vision if we’re not careful.
Ultraviolet rays, or UV rays, are invisible but harmful. They can damage the eyes over time and increase the risk of conditions like cataracts and macular degeneration. Even a short time without protection can cause discomfort or more serious issues like photokeratitis — essentially sunburn to the eye. So, wearing sunglasses that block 100 percent of UVA and UVB rays is not just a fashion choice — it’s a necessity. I always recommend wrap around styles because they help keep harmful rays from sneaking in at the edges.
Summer also brings dry air, whether from the heat or a/c, which can cause your eyes to feel irritated or gritty. Drinking plenty of water and using preservative-free lubricating drops can help keep eyes comfortable. And if allergies bother you, especially with the pollen that peaks around this time, avoid rubbing your eyes — even though it’s tempting. Rubbing only makes things worse. Instead, rinsing your eyes with clean water or using allergy drops can bring relief.
Swimming pools, lakes and oceans are wonderful for cooling off but can introduce irritants or bacteria to eyes. Goggles aren’t just for competitive swimmers — they’re a smart choice for anyone spending time in the water. And if you’re playing sports or working outside, protective eyewear can prevent injuries that sometimes happen too quickly to react to.
Kids, especially, need our help with eye protection. Their eyes are more sensitive to UV rays, and besides children tend to spend hours outside. Make sure they wear good sunglasses, hats with wide brims, and understand why it’s important not to rub their eyes or swim with contact lenses. Regular eye checkups are equally important, especially if kids are active or have a family history of eye issues.
Nutrition also plays a big role in eye health. Vitamins like A, C and E, omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants such as lutein and zeaxanthin, support vision and help protect eyes from damage. Eating colorful fruits and vegetables is one of the simplest, most effective ways to keep eyes healthy for the long term.
Today’s eye care has advanced tremendously. Treatments like next-generation dry eye therapy (MOIST®) and new surgical techniques can restore vision even in cases once thought untreatable. If you or someone you know struggles with dry eyes, irritation, or vision problems, don’t settle for the idea that nothing can be done. There are often real, effective solutions available that can improve comfort and clarity — often without invasive surgery or long recovery times.
If you notice sudden changes in vision, persistent redness, pain or discharge, seek professional care promptly. And don’t skip your annual eye exam — many eye conditions show no symptoms until they’ve progressed.